My last review of this Marvel NOW! title, was issue #3. And believe me when I say A LOT has happened since then. By now you may know that Valkyrie neglected to select a new group of Shieldmaidens from Midgard (Middle Earth). She claimed that she couldn’t find any women that was worthy. In the meantime, the villainess Caroline LeFay used Dani Moonstar’s Valkyrie energy to raise the Doom Maidens. Hela, the Asgardian goddess of death, raised Queen Hippolyta from the dead to fight the Doom Maidens. The All-Mother appointed Misty Knight and Dr. Annabelle Riggs to accompany Valkyrie and Hippolyta as they rescue Dani and fight the Doom Maidens. While in battle with the Doom Maidens, it was learned that Valkyrie is a former Doom Maiden. Valkyrie, Dani and Hippolyta went to confront the Doom Maidens. Although Misty and Annabelle stayed behind, Misty decided it was time to take further action. Placing a phone call, all we know is that she asked the question, “Are you for hire?” And now we get to find out just who it was she talked to AND hired.

As Valkyrie, Dani Moonstar and Hippolyta go to battle with the Doom Maidens, Misty Knight and Annabelle arrive with surprise reinforcements. Misty hired a badass team of 12 female superheroes, although only 9 Shield Maidens are needed. The fierce battle has begun. Lots of body slinging, butt kicking and dragon slaying. Then some serious hell breaks loose and Valkyrie takes a turn for the worse.

This action packed issue is no joke. Non-stop action with continuous page turners. As I got to the center splash all I could say was, “DAMN.” When Valkyrie went through her changes at the end of the story, again all I could say was, “DAMN.” I rarely say curse words so you know that this series has to be top-notch.

It is more than obvious that I am still loving this title. But with badass chicks like Valkyrie, Misty Knight and Hippolyta I have no choice. They all have strong, yet distinct personalities. All from different backgrounds. The interactions among them remains phenomenal. Misty is still the Foxy Brown of comics, Valkyrie is serious but will put you in check if needed, and Hippolyta is still conceited as ever.

I even like Dr. Annabelle Riggs now. She was meek and timid at the beginning of the series, but her character becomes stronger in each issue. In this issue, it is apparent that she is strongly connected to Valkryie in some kind of way. I have a feeling of what it may be, but I won’t say until the story progresses.

The women that Misty Knight hired are:

• Elektra
• She-Hulk
• Black Widow
• Storm
• Captain Marvel
• Black Cat
• Tigra
• Spider-Woman
• Thundra
• Colleen Wing
• Hellcat
• Tarantula

I was very excited to see that She-Hulk, Elektra and Black Widow, my favorite badass Marvel girls, are a part of this story.

Cullen Bunn, writer, needs a round of applause AND a standing ovation. I still don’t know how he does it, but he is able to write amazing dialogue among these compelling characters. The interactions among all the characters are both funny and serious. I am still amazed at how well Bunn writes such realistic dialogue. A bunch of women all with different personalities; attitudes, funny, serious, conceited and evil. All I can say is that I’m glad Marvel has this creative genius scripting this series.

The creative art team consists of Will Sliney (art), Veronica Gandini (colors), and Mark Brooks (cover). The art for this issue is superb. The characters and backgrounds are lifelike and finely detailed. I like Gandini’s use of colors, especially in the panels with explosions and the dragon induced fires. And I love that awesome cover. I can ramble on about the art, so I’ll end by saying that with visual storytellers such as this team, you don’t need text to know what’s going on.

I continue to stress that in order for a story to work, it needs to have both a good script AND art. Fearless Defenders has both. I am going to continue to read this title.

VERDICT (drum roll please)

I strongly recommend this title.